What is this that we have done?
Answer, Eve, for everyone.
Whether this is history
or story-teller's mystery
no-one in this pleasant place,
however fair or full of grace,
can yet deny our common suit—
we have all eaten of this fruit.
Each ancient pathway we have trod
as serpent, woman, man or God—
tempted, deceived, apportioned blame
and hidden from ourselves in shame.
Once we were so rich in trust,
but traded this for pride or lust;
into greed or sloth we've wandered—
how a whole world's wealth is squandered!
What's to be done? What treasury
can raise us from this poverty?

Peace be to all: be not perplexed.
Attend—and see what happens next...

Written to
follow the reading of
the story of the Fall in Genesis
3, 1-13a (ending with the words
"What is this you have done?") as part of A
Christmas commentary for the carol service at St
Johns Church, West
Ealing in 2012.